30 Days in the PsalmsSýnishorn

Day #17: Psalm 84

In Psalm 84, we hear a different voice at prayer: the Korahites. Like Asaph, they were probably musicians and worship leaders in the temple. That makes this prayer, likely composed during the exile, particularly poignant and heartfelt. The song has three sections: the first (vv. 1–4) and the third (vv. 9–12) express the singers’ deep longing to be “in the courts of the Lord, in the house of God.” For a people living in exile, with their temple in ruins, there is probably a temptation for this to become an exercise in nostalgia. But almost immediately, the longing for what was lost (the physical temple) becomes instead a joyous celebration of being in God’s presence—even in the absence of the temple. This prayer is not just anticipatory—it doesn’t simply contemplate future joy, when the exile is over and the temple is rebuilt; it also reveals a dawning recognition that even in the “dark night” of exile, God’s presence is continually with them.

The Korahites provide us a beautiful set of lyrics that we can use to celebrate God’s presence—even when it feels like he’s absent. They give us words we can use to thank God for his care—even in times when circumstances might suggest a lack of divine care. These lyrics focus firmly on revealed realities, and performing them involves both body and soul: “My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God” (v. 2). You get the sense that perhaps there was some dancing and clapping involved in this prayer of praise!

Using language reminiscent of Psalm 1, the singers describe the source of “blessedness” or “happiness”—living in the presence of the Lord (v. 4), finding strength in the Lord (v. 5), trusting in the Lord (v. 12). Their joyful praise in the midst of a very hard season focuses on speaking out loud the identity of their faithful God: he is living (v. 2), he is their King (v. 3), he is supreme over all other powers (v. 7), he is their sun and their shield (v. 11), he is the good giver of generous gifts to his faithful ones (v. 11). They conclude with a resounding shout: “O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you!”

If you are in a “dark night of the soul” when God seems far away or you’ve lost something that used to help you feel close to him, today is a good day to look beyond your circumstances to revealed realities and celebrate his presence, goodness, and faithful care.